16.05.2006

On Wednesday 10 May 2006, the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) held a debate in Westminster, London, which called for the Government to listen to the views of children and young people and make Sex & Relationships Education (SRE) a compulsory part of the national curriculum.

The issue has been the one constant factor of the UKYP’s Manifesto over the last five years.   Research by UKYP has shown that young people across the country are receiving varying standards of SRE in their schools, from a basic biology lesson, through to a qualified health professional being available on site to deliver SRE and answer young people’s questions.

Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) want to ensure that all young people receive SRE delivered to a specified standard, and not just a set of guidelines, from which schools can choose to opt out of for a variety of reasons.  The young people felt that there should be clear definition between classes taught in school, and whilst schools may choose to deliver a moral message in Religious Education lessons; facts about sex and relationships should be taught openly and frankly in PSHE lessons, so as to provide young people with the information on which to make their own informed decisions.

During the debate it became apparent that many young people are left feeling lonely and bewildered about what should be a positive experience in their life.  In particular, many gay young people felt alienated because SRE did not cater for their emotions and experiences, whilst the current recommendations to teach about HIV/Aids, linked gay young people to having a disease and does nothing to support them in their relationships.

Charles Shepherd, Marketing Manager for Durex, said, “It was great to have the opportunity to hear young people speak out on a subject that they are clearly passionate about.  The audience discussion and argument put forward on fully informing young people on all aspects of sexual health and safer sex were both interesting and informative.  It was good that this debate could go ahead during national condom week 2006, a Durex sponsored initiative to promote good sexual health and normalise condom usage.”

For more information about the UK Youth Parliament and its work on SRE, please contact us.